inward

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adjective in·ward \ ˈin-wərd \

Definition of inward

1 :situated on the inside :inner

2 a :of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

b :absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life :introspective

3 :marked by close acquaintance :familiar

4 :directed toward the interior

See inward defined for English-language learners

See inward defined for kids

Examples of inward in a Sentence

moved towards the inward room for more privacy
he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

For one, the Chinese restrictions on import of services and inward investment are mostly legal under its World Trade Organization (WTO) accession agreement.

— david dollar, Fortune, "Trump Could Be on the Brink of Starting a Trade War With China," 7 Aug. 2017
One of the products of fusion is energy, which provides enough outward force to balance the inward collapse of the star.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Black-hole mergers may reveal dark past of cannibalism," 27 June 2017
Ireland, long an emigrant nation, also became a destination for inward migration, primarily from eastern and central Europe, but also from Africa, China, and Brazil.

— jason walsh, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why a gay, Indian-heritage prime minister isn't a sign of a 'new' Ireland," 8 June 2017
Her dress of white gloves communicated the inward oppression of middle class black women understandably desperate for respect.

— lovia gyarkye, New Republic, "The Women Who Wanted A Revolution," 31 May 2017
The images of nebulae, comets and star clusters are enclosed in circles or ovals, evoking not only the lens of the telescope but also more inward views: ova, or perhaps Petri dishes.

— sharon mizota, latimes.com, "Before 'Hidden Figures,' there were the Harvard Computers. Now their work has inspired this art," 4 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inward

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard ¹-ward

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

inward Synonyms

Synonyms

inside, interior, internal, inner

Antonyms

exterior, external, outer, outside, outward

Related Words

inmost, innermost; central, mid, middle, midmost

Near Antonyms

outermost, outmost; surface

inward

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adverb \ ˈin-wərd \

variants: or inwards play \ˈin-wərdz\

Definition of inward

1 :toward the inside, center, or interior

2 :toward the inner being

See inward defined for English-language learners

Examples of inward in a Sentence

The window faces inward toward the courtyard.
He turned his attention inward.

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

Both are inward-looking, playing in a language that draws them nearer to an essence, rather than to communication.

— New York Times, "Pop, Rock and Jazz in NYC This Week," 24 Aug. 2017
Before, Peraza would pivot his front foot on his toe, twisting his hip inward as the pitch arrived.

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "The swing tweak that may have fixed Jose Peraza," 10 Aug. 2017
No one in the crowded patio area, a few days before the Fourth of July, seems to notice her, even though we are seated facing inward, our faces on full display for fellow lunch diners.

— justin bishop, HWD, "The Secret to Elizabeth Olsen’s Super Low-Key, Totally Normal, Really Actually Enviable Success," 7 Aug. 2017
Thomas was trying to defend Taurasi at the time of the injury and appeared to turn the ankle awkwardly inward on the replay.

— william s. paxton, courant.com, "Sun Overcome 33 Diana Taurasi Points In 93-92 Win," 5 Aug. 2017
McCaffrey was lined up as an outside receiver, then motioned a few feet inward as the defense’s tone became urgent in calling checks to stay aware of his positioning.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Evolution of Panthers won’t be noticeable – until ball is in the back of the end zone," 1 Aug. 2017
The late American philosopher Richard Rorty famously argued in his 1998 book, Achieving Our Country, that this inward-looking dogmatism and zealotry was a major problem for the left.

— victor tan chen, The Atlantic, "Are Campus Activists Too Dogmatic?," 30 July 2017
Alternatively, Cassini could have been directed back inward, to explore giant Jupiter and its many moons, rounding out science started on NASA's Galileo mission in 1995.

— dave brody executive producer, Fox News, "Why kill Cassini? Saturn probe's fate carefully considered," 19 July 2017
The work by this year's Nohl Fellows on display at the Haggerty Museum of Art explores perceptions both inward and outward.

— sarah hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Nohl Fellows probe transracial adoption, visual perception in Haggerty Museum show," 14 July 2017

First Known Use of inward

before 12th century

inward

noun

Definition of inward

1 :something that is inward

2 inwards play \ˈin-ərdz, -wərdz\ plural :innards

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

Deadly storm surge — the push inwards of abnormally high ocean water above regular tides — could reach 12 feet, the National Hurricane Center warned, calling Harvey life-threatening.

— seth borenstein, The Seattle Times, "Harvey’s perfect storm recipe: Warm water, calm air up high," 24 Aug. 2017
Deadly storm surge — the push inwards of abnormally high ocean water above regular tides — could reach 12 feet, the National Hurricane Center warned, calling Harvey life-threatening.

— seth borenstein, chicagotribune.com, "Harvey's perfect storm recipe: Warm water, calm air up high and slow speed," 24 Aug. 2017
The University of Virginia and several other universities are working with Sandia National Laboratories to create a turbine that can fold its blades inwards in heavy winds.

— justin nobel, Longreads, "Why Oil-Loving Louisiana Should Embrace America’s Coming Offshore Wind Boom," 23 Aug. 2017
Middleton's hair was likely twisted inwards on each side to come together to create this unique sliced bun situation.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "Kate Middleton's 15 Best Hairstyles Ever," 18 Aug. 2017
The nipple can harden and become more pronounced with cold or stimulation. Inverted: The nipple retracts inwards.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "There Are 8 Types of Nipples in the World," 16 June 2017
Solar panels attached as arms of the spacecraft extend beyond the shield's shadow, but retract inwards to expose only a line of their outermost cells when the spacecraft makes its closest approaches to the sun.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Hopkins scientists readying mission to touch the sun," 9 June 2017
The Dana Hills junior executed the most difficult dive of the boys meet, scoring a solid 7.5 on an inward, 2 1/2 somersaults.

— dan albano, Orange County Register, "Dana Hills’ Greenberg roars back by capturing Santa Margarita diving meet," 15 Apr. 2017

First Known Use of inward

before 12th century

INWARD Defined for English Language Learners

inward

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adjective

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

: of or relating to a person's mind or spirit
: directed or moving toward the inside of something

inward

play

adverb

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

: toward the inside of something
: toward the mind or spirit

INWARD Defined for Kids

inward

play

adjective in·ward \ ˈin-wərd \

Definition of inward for Students

1 :toward the inside or center

an inward curve

2 :of or concerning the mind or spirit

He felt inward joy.

inward

adverb

variants: or inwards \-wərdz\

Definition of inward for Students

1 :toward the inside or center

The door opens inward.

2 :toward the mind or spirit

I turned my thoughts inward.

Learn More about inward

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inward Spanish Central: Translation of inward Nglish: Translation of inward for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inward for Arabic speakers

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inward

Definition of inward

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Recent Examples of inward from the Web

First Known Use of inward

inward

Definition of inward

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

First Known Use of inward

INWARD Defined for English Language Learners

inward

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

inward

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

INWARD Defined for Kids

inward

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inward

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